COCO GOES POP IN MUNSTER JUVENILE CUP SECOND ROUND

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the Riverside Stud Munster Juvenile Cup took place at Clonmel on Sunday night and there was an incredible performance from Annual Coco to set the standard.

Owned by Shane O’Gorman, Annual Coco went down by a mere head in the opening round when finishing at speed in behind Claude Jeremiah, however, few could have predicted he would produce a performance straight out of the top drawer last night. Sent off as a 3/1 chance, Annual Coco set out his stall early with a ping start from trap two, while clocking a 2.82 sectional in the process. Chased by Honey Bunny in second, in truth she could make no inroads into the lead as Annual Coco stopped the third bend sectional in a rapid 15.94. Powering clear thereafter, the son of Droopys Sydney and Allowdale Coco raced to a six and a half-length success over Honey Bunny in second, with Pepe Noir sealing the final qualifying position. The time was a blistering 28.18 .10s.

SEAN REMAINS UNBEATEN

Next best on the clock was Faypoint Sean, who comfortably remained unbeaten as he made it six wins from as many starts.

Owned by Patricia Flanagan, Faypoint Sean went to traps as an understandable 1/3 favourite and the Graham Holland-trained puppy made every post a winner. Running from trap five, the son of Droopys Sydney and Roaming Shari broke smartly from his outside berth and paced up well to lead De Black Swallow into the opener. The latter showed a fine turn of speed down the back to close the gap to one length, however, it was a round the bottom two bends where ‘Sean’ began to assert. Staying on stoutly, Faypoint Sean powered up the straight to record a two and a half-length success over De Black Swallow. The time was a swift 28.41 .10s.

HARVEY DOUBLES UP

In the final heat, Faypoint Harvey, a litter brother of ‘Sean’, bounced back from his only defeat at odds of 1/3.

A winner on debut in a terrific 28.39, Faypoint Harvey made virtually every yard last time out before being collared by his litter brother but he got back to winning ways emphatically from trap two. That said, Glenbervie Pookie broke best of all from three, however, the inside line proved crucial as Faypoint Harvey soared up the inner to take control. Drawing clear thereafter, it was all one-way traffic for the son of Droopys Sydney as he galloped to an eight and a half length success over Callawaysawgrass in second. The time was 28.78 .10s.

SYDNEY DOWNS DEEJAY

Newinn Deejay went to traps as the 4/7 favourite in heat three, however it was Raceway Sydney who made-all to record a fifth career success.

Owned by Patrick O’Brien and Emer Dunne, Raceway Sydney (3/1) was briskly into stride wearing the striped jacket and she paced up the outer in good style to lead Rathcoole Casey in one. The latter stalked the leader down the back, however, numerous bits and pieces of traffic ensued and this allowed Newinn Deejay to get back into the race after early trouble. Raceway Sydney continued to assert up front and he kicked on up the home straight to see off Newinn Deejay by one and a half lengths. The time was 29.24 .10s.